VehicleVerdict

2013 Cadillac ATS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 255 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.1 times the median ATS year — the 2013 model ranks #1 of 7 ATS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (49), transmission (46), and electrical system (43), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

255

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other ATS years?

ATS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted255 complaints2013: 255 complaints2014: 141 complaints2015: 41 complaints2016: 45 complaints2017: 42 complaints2018: 26 complaints2019: 4 complaints
ATS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all ATS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Cadillac ATS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4919%
Transmission4618%
Electrical System4317%
Steering2510%
Other208%
Brakes177%
Speed Control104%
Airbags94%
Tires & Wheels83%
Lighting73%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Fuel System52%
Suspension52%
Seats31%
Seat Belts31%

Does the 2013 Cadillac ATS have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V558000Visibility & WipersSeptember 3, 2015 · 96,145 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS sedan vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to September 2, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the coil antenna module that powers the rear defogger system may generate excessive heat due to excessive cycling or continuous operation.

Consequence

If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electronic Climate Control module to remove the automatic rear defogger "on" function, free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15299.

15V463000Visibility & WipersJuly 24, 2015 · 63,665 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to June 25, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience the roof panel closing automatically when the non-recessed switches are pressed and the roof panel is open. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Consequence

Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15568. Note this recall supersedes 15V-106.

14V488000Seat BeltsAugust 8, 2014 · 48,114 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.

Consequence

If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. GM sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14171.

14V446000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 124,007 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.

Consequence

A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.

14V338000TransmissionJune 19, 2014 · 90,750 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.

Consequence

If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.

13V220000LightingMay 24, 2013 · 10,210 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Consequence

If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPOT BEHIND A CAR AT A VERY LOW SPEED WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES FOR THE CAR TO STOP, INSTEAD IT ACCELERATED AND SMASHED IN TO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKES HARDER IN ORDER TO AVOID THE IMPACT AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 24, 2013 · crash

I BOUGHT A 2013 CADILLAC ATS IN EARLY 2013. IN FIRST MONTH, IT NEEDED 3 BATTERY JUMPS. IT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH MOVING FROM DRIVE INTO PARK. THIS IS UNDER RECALL AS IS A SEATBELT ISSUE I BELIEVE. I HAVE HAD 2 ACCIDENTS. 1 ON A VERY BUSY CRAWLING ROAD WISCONSIN AVE, DC ON A BUSY SAT AFTERNOON IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 18, 2013 · crash

CADILLAC ATS LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL AS WELL AS RIGHT CONTROL ARM SNAPPING IN HALF. DRIVER THEN HIT DITCH AND THEN A TREE CAUSE DAMAGE TO FRONT OF THE CAR AND INJURY TO DRIVE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 4, 2016 · crash

STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING ALL TO LEFT VIBRATE AND SOME TIME LOCKS,DASH BOARD WARNING PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE,SERVICE REQUIRED.CONTACTED DEALER SINCE 2013 MANY TIMES NO PROBLEMS FOUND EXCEPT ONE TIME DID PULL UP CODE,RESET COMPUTER,CONTACTED CADILLAC AND I WAS TOLD SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL IS OK TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 20, 2013

CADILLAC ATS LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL AS WELL AS RIGHT CONTROL ARM SNAPPING IN HALF. DRIVER THEN HIT DITCH AND THEN A TREE CAUSE DAMAGE TO FRONT OF THE CAR AND INJURY TO DRIVE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 4, 2016 · crash

2013 Cadillac ATS — common questions

Is the 2013 Cadillac ATS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 255 complaints put the 2013 model at #1 of 7 ATS years. It is one of the ATS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 ATS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (49 complaints), transmission (46 complaints), electrical system (43 complaints).

Does the 2013 Cadillac ATS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Cadillac ATS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac ATS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the ATS years to avoid are 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among ATS years belongs to 2019.

How safe is the 2013 Cadillac ATS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Cadillac ATS earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.